Giveaway alert!Two lucky readers will win one of the Generation T books by Megan Nicolay – details at the end of this post. ECO-ngratulations Alanna & Shirtee.

As you know I’ve been better and better at actually completing eco-crafty projects each week for you. This week is the jackpot of all Trash to Treasure Thursdays with a collection of projects and a giveaway! I’ve been infatuated with finding ways to reuse or upcycle old t-shirts – I scour the blogosphere, YouTube, Etsy, and other crafty websites looking for innovative ways to use t-shirts. In one of my searches I came across Generation T and Megan Nicolay.

Who is Megan Nicolay? Much like myself Megan has had the crafty bug since she was a child – always looking for the next great project. We also share a common statement – “I could so do that!” My friends and family are always telling me – “You could do that!” when they see anything. Megan began her website www.Generation-T.com back in 2005 and by 2006 she published her first instructional book – “Generation T – 180 ways to transform a T-shirt.”In her first book she includes many punk inspired projects to transform that plain boring t-shirt into halter tops, bodices, skirts, leg warmers and more! My favorite is the Grand Finale – “Tying the Knot” – a wedding dress made from old t-shirts. I have a co-worker of mine who is getting married next year and this would be PERFECT for her – she’s a little bit of an eco-junkie like myself.

Megan’s second book – “Generation T – Beyond Fashion – 120 new ways to transform a T-shirt” – was published in 2009 and include projects for the home, kids, pets, and men! Having a tot running around the house my favorite chapter is Kid Rock and I can’t wait to make The Little Empress for my own little princess. There is literally a project for everything you could possibly need around the home.

While I have a list a mile long of projects I WANT to complete – here are pictures of projects I’ve already completed. I don’t follow directions well so many of them have been altered from Megan’s directions to fit my own style. That’s the great part of crafting – you are the designer – and you can decide what you like!

WIN IT! I have one copy of each of the Generation-T books to giveaway. I’m going to split the set and offer this giveaway to two (2) lucky readers – I pick which book you receive. To enter visit the Generation-T website and tell me two things – 1) what are you most excited to make, and 2) what t-shirt do you plan on cutting up first? Leave your comments below and be sure to leave your email address in the comments.

Extra Entries: Earn up to 5 extra entries each day until the close of the giveaway (August 15, 2010) – leave a comment for each task completed (along with a link if applicable).

1 – Follow @Generationtee, @TheEcoChic, and @EcoChicParties on Twitter – 1 entry for following all 3 combined.
2 – Like all three (3) on Facebook – 1 entry for Liking all 3 combined.
3 – Blog about your own Trash to Treasure project and include a link back to this giveaway. Leave your own link in the comments below. – 1 entry for each project.
4 – Tweet about this giveaway – include @Generationtee, @TheEcoChic, and a link back here in your tweet. – 1 entry for each tweet.

Rules: Winner will be randomly selected at the close of the giveaway period from all entrants over the age of 18 who are residents of the US & Canada – however Canadian residents will be asked to pay shipping if selected. Giveaway ends midnight (ET) on August 15, 2010.

Disclosure: Thank you to Megan Nicolay for sending my copies of each of her books for review (and inspiration). Megan also supplied the copies for the giveaway. Images in this post are original creations by The Eco Chic and vary from the actual projects featured in Generation – T slightly.

Comments

I love this. I'm a youth minister with millions of shirts from service trips, retreats, and all sorts of things. I love the idea of making a bean bag chair with them (a bit more original than the customary quilt to hang on the wall). I'll attack that stack of last year's shirts now with this project in mind.

I LOVE the beanbag chair idea and I have a ton of shirts from VBS, as well as high school/college T's. Hmmm. PLEASE??? I'm thinking that old high school band T-shirt goes first! greenfrugalmama@gmail.com

I have already altered some tshirts with Generation T's patterns, but I am so exctited to make a tshirt quilt! I have a lot of sports tshirts that I don't normally wear and now I have a purpose for them! sarah.vassello@yahoo.com

I can't wait to try the Sleeve-Ho project on Generationt.com! I'll probably use one of my sports shirts that I bought at the thrift store. I have a Cardinals one that has a small hole in the sleeve so it'll work perfectly since you cut them off. Ok. I'm going to seem like a total dork now. I just liked Generation tee, The Eco Chic, and Eco Chic Parties on facebook. I also just followed @TheEcoChic and @EcoChicParties on twitter (I already follow @Generationtee), then proceeded to tweet about the giveaway. I have blogged about the projects I've done and would like to do at http://optimisticwriter.wordpress.com/

I want to make a halter! I have this super cute breast cancer shirt(that is my #1 cause) that is way too boxy. It states on it all the reasons I wear pink. I want to show it off in a super cute new way! Way cool design with a super awesome message! We will find a cure some day and look cool doing it!thatsawrap@cox.net

My daughter has a lot of hand me downs, and some of them are too big, some not her style, ect. I have promised her that we would make them in to something a cool pre-teen would love!Our first t-shirt project is gonna be her Beatles shirt that was bought a few years ago…before she had a opinion on what was cool and what was not! 🙂I have promised her that we would once again make it into something neat! (As if it's coolness has somewhat dissipated) Any kind of book would be appreciated and loved!Thanks ~ Jennygratefulsugaree@yahoo.com

I am planning to use the no fear shakespeare shirt to make a skirt, but what I really want is to make a whole dress. I am a size 12 now, so it's kind of a challenge, and old, so my legs cannot show. I can't get over the part where the size XXXl t has armpits down under my bra!

I am looking forward to making a halter dress from the many concert T-Shirts I have accumulated ovre the past 20 years. I used to do a lot of concert photography, and I started taking my daughter to blues and rock concerts when she was about 10 years old. She still appreciates some of the music and performers that introduced her too so long ago and I believe she will love to see the repurposed Tees as a funky halter dress she can wear to her next concert this summer. Music and fashion can truly transcend generations!

I love to cook so I want to make the apron and halter and attach them together to make a full length apron using the camo fatigues t-shirts I got from my friend who served in the army.nnlyndadawinda1074 at yahoo dot com

Since it's still ridiculously hot here in TN, I want to try my hand at slicing a t-shirt down to a tank top. Maybe the t-bird style from the website. I've got an awesome Jager shirt from work (I work at a liquor store) that I love except that it's about 5 sizes too large to be cute. Maybe I can work on some baby projects with my sister's old t-shirts now that she's expecting…..ash.housewares.this.is.my.boomstick@gmail.com

Since it’s still ridiculously hot here in TN, I want to try my hand at slicing a t-shirt down to a tank top. Maybe the t-bird style from the website. I’ve got an awesome Jager shirt from work (I work at a liquor store) that I love except that it’s about 5 sizes too large to be cute. Maybe I can work on some baby projects with my sister’s old t-shirts now that she’s expecting…..nash.housewares.this.is.my.boomstick@gmail.com

Meet Calley

Hey y'all! I'm Calley and I'm glad you found my blog. I'm a Tampa mom and influencer. I love to write about my family, local events and happenings, DIY projects, traveling and so much more! I'm also a cloth diaper educator and social media manager. Pass the coffee please. Looking for @TheEcoChic? This is still me, just a new name!read more...

Hey y'all! I'm Calley and I'm glad you found my blog. I'm a Tampa mom and influencer. I love to write about my family, local events and happenings, DIY projects, traveling and so much more! I'm also a cloth diaper educator and social media manager. Pass the coffee please. Looking for @TheEcoChic? This is still me, just a new name. Pass the coffee please.